Prevention of venous thromboembolism in adult patients with cancer in the acute care setting.

Adult patients with cancer in the acute care setting face numerous potential complications related to malignancy. Risk for development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the most critical of adverse outcomes for this patient population, ultimately leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Nurses must be familiar with the general pathophysiology of VTE and pathophysiology specific to oncology to prevent the occurrence of this complex hematologic process.